Learn from HRBR Layout: Make do-it-yourselves your New Year resolution

Kalyan Nagar Waste Management Committee president MC Subbaiah says the waste processing plant was started with Norway’s help

Highlights

City’s garbage problem can be tackled, only if we do it ourselves

Kalyan Nagar’s two blocks are garbage-free thanks to a resident-managed Waste Management Committee that collects and converts waste to compost

By Y Maheswara Reddy

In a city where garbage dumps sit cheek-by-jowl of homes and swanky apartments, 1st and 2nd blocks of Hennur Road Banaswadi Road (HRBR) Layout in Kalyan Nagar have the singular distinction of being garbage-free. Walk down the streets of these two blocks and you’re not likely to see garbage piles or litter anywhere.

If you’re wondering if HRBR has magic elves to clean up the streets, you’re wrong.

What HRBR has achieved through residents’ participation is something that should be replicated in other neighbourhoods too.

The Kalyan Nagar residents have formed a Waste Management Committee (SWC) to find a solution to the menace of piled-up garbage on the streets. The SWC has been taking care of door-to-door garbage collection and then converting it into compost at its waste processing unit.

How do they do it?

“The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) with the support of the Centre for Environment Education started the waste processing unit with Norwegian aid in 1998-99. Similar units were opened at OMBR Layout, HBR Layout, Kasturi Nagar and Lingarajapuram, but all were closed. This unit was handed over to us in 2001,’’ says M C Subbaiah, Kalyan Nagar Waste Management Committee (KNWMC) president.

Initially, garbage was collected from 1200 households and later, with the increase in houses in the locality, it was extended to 3,000 households. Eighteen conservancy workers, appointed by the Waste Management Committee, begin door-to-door garbage collection at 7.30 am and bring it in three auto tippers to the waste processing unit.

“Our employees collect garbage from households without fail. The residents call us over the phone if there is half-an-hour delay in collecting garbage,’’ says Shekarappa D V, manager, Waste Processing Centre.

According to Shekharappa, around 1.50 tonnes of waste is being collected from 3,000 households. After dry waste comprising plastic, paper, carton boxes, etc., is segregated, kitchen waste is dumped in 22 composting pits. The heat generated in the compost pits helps to decompose the kitchen waste. The waste is converted into compost in 60 to 70 days based on weather conditions. The compost is then sold to residents at Rs 10 per kg.

Cynosure of attention

The Waste Management Committee is happy that their determination to keep their neighbourhood garbage-free has worked. Not just that, many students from India and overseas are visiting the centre to learn about this project. The efforts of the (KNWMC) caught the attention of Solid Waste Management Round Table Bengaluru, United Nation’s Centre for Environment, and National Environment Management Authority, Uganda.

“Many international students and students from other states have visited the centre to know how garbage is being disposed of without any hurdles. A team from the World Health Organisation also visited this centre and appreciated our work. Elected representatives from neighbouring states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh) have replicated this model in their respective states,’’ recalls Subbaiah.

Tough task

Managing the waste processing unit or heading the Waste Management Committee has not been a bed of roses for Subbaiah. The BBMP allocates Rs 4,30,000 per month towards the wages of conservancy workers and Subbaiah is responsible for its disbursement. But the funds are not regular. And Subbaiah has had to look at other sources to get funds to pay salaries of conservancy workers. And some people are not happy with this. “There is a delay in BBMP releasing funds towards wages for conservancy workers. We are yet to get funds from the BBMP for the last five months. We have run from pillar to post to get the funds released. A few people have filed a police complaint against me for collecting Rs 25 from each household. It is a voluntary donation and will be used to pay wages for the conservancy workers,’’ explains Subbaiah.

The Waste Management Committee members have been appealing to the BBMP to release funds on time to avoid inconvenience and hardship for the conservancy workers but in vain. “Our demand to the BBMP is to release funds on time. We have also demanded the BBMP to have a revolving fund of a few lakhs. It will help us to pay wages to the conservancy workers on time,’’ says Subbaiah.

The other problem is the failure of segregating waste at source by a few residents. The Waste Management Committee members have tried to tackle this by distributing pamphlets to raise awareness about the importance of segregating waste at source. Subbaiah’s appeal to all residents is to segregate waste at source to ensure that kitchen waste is converted into compost without any hassles.

“The waste processing unit, maintained by the Waste Management Committee, is considered as a model that can be replicated. It is still functioning even though other such units were closed long ago. I want this to continue,’’ signs off Subbaiah with a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.

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